Rising star Alex Michelsen on his goals for 2024 and why he is ‘glad’ not to compete during the Big Three era
Alex Michelsen’s Surbiton Challenger campaign didn’t go according to plan, but he remains on course to achieve his goals for 2024 as he also revealed to Alex Spink why he is “glad” that he is not breaking through when Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer were dominating.
The Californian teenager had hoped to use the Lexus Surbiton Trophy as a springboard into Wimbledon where he has happy memories of winning the Boys doubles title two summers ago.
Instead, he was sent packing in three sets by Britain’s Paul Jubb, ranked almost 250 places below him, going down 4-6, 6-2, 2-6.
Michelsen, 19, not only took it on the chin, he ventured the opinion that “one of us [Americans] will win a Slam in the next 10 years”,” he told Tennis365 at the Challenger Tour event.
It was not so long ago that grave inquests were being held into what was wrong with US men’s tennis.
After dominating Grand Slams in the 80s and 90s through greats like John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, United States men’s tennis has fallen on lean times in the last few decades as Andy Roddick is the last American man to win a major with that title coming at the 2003 US Open.
Now the superpower has seven in the top 50 and rising star Michelsen is already up to number 60.
“I hope that’s not too crazy a thing to say,” he added. “There’s a lot of guys from America in good form at the moment in the top 20. And I think I can do pretty well on grass.
“My goal before the year started was top 50. Before I went to Australia that was what I talked about with my coaches and that’s still what I’m looking at. But it’s one step at a time.”
Why Newport sensation Alex Michelsen is being tipped for massive things
Michelsen showed how much he has matured in recent months by reacting philosophically to a setback the organisers certainly had not anticipated.
“I’m not too angry,” said a player known for his volatility coming up through the ranks. “I’ve definitely got better at keeping an even keel in the last year.
“I used to be like every time I won it was like I’d won the Super Bowl and every time I lost it was like ‘oh my gosh, the world’s ending’. I’ve definitely levelled out a little bit.
“It’s part of maturing. I’m only 19. I don’t have it all figured out yet. But I’m getting there.”
If defeat proved anything to this rising star it is that you can hope, you can believe, you can dream all you want, there are no guarantees in sport.
“I just lost to someone 308 in the world and he is very good at tennis,” he acknowledged. “Everyone is good. You have to go out and compete every time you step on the court.”
This mis-step apart, there is ample evidence to support the youngster’s belief that he is on a fast track to becoming one of the stars of the game.
“He’s already top 100 at 19,” said Jubb. “He has such a big game, strong game. He’s in a good place for sure.”
Next for Michelsen is Stuttgart, Halle and Mallorca before arriving at Wimbledon ready to do battle as part of a new wave hoping to wash over the sport
With Roger Federer retired, Rafa Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic struggling for fitness, opportunity knocks for the young guns to continue what Carlos Alcaraz started a year ago.
“I haven’t really thought about that too much,” admitted Michelsen. “Just because you have your [Jannik] Sinners, your Alcarazes, your Holgers [Rune]. Those guys are all going to win Slams. They’re all going to be very good.
“But they’re not like Novak, Roger and Rafa, which is great. If I was coming at the same time as them that would be tough. I’m definitely glad I’m not.”